Socials 10-4: The Métis Move to Resistance

Today we looked at the conditions that led the Métis to begin their resistance to the Canadian government's "incursions" in their territory. We introduced the idea that while the Métis social structure and government was "different" than that of the Europeans, it had a definite and purposeful structure nonetheless. For example, we talked of the importance of the role of the bison hunt captain and how the rules of the hunt were organized to increase the chance of success (for the whole group). We also discussed how punishments in one culture, might seem odd in another. I used the example of contemporary Canadian Forces punishments (specifically a dishonourable release/discharge) as an example of how the Métis tradition of shaming a thief could be seen to have some modern parallels.

Next, we read pp. 158-161 in the text (just the text on the white pages). I asked that you record three bullet points showing things you learned and two questions that you still wonder about. We ended the lesson by watching "If We are Rebels" from The People's History. It introduced us to Louis Riel and the reception the Métis gave to the surveyors, including the "capture" of Fort Garry at the start of the Red River Resistance.

If you have completed today's reading there is no homework.

Socials 8-3: Middle Ages Test Day

Today we wrote the test. I'll try to have it marked for next class. If you missed the test, please arrange to have it done ASAP. There is no homework.

History 12-1: Hitler's Rise to Power

Today I began by asking, "How did Hitler come power?" Many of you had pieces of the answer; thanks for sharing. In the course, it is important to ask these basis questions from time to time in order to discover the holes in our understanding. I spent the next part of the lesson discussing the rise in popularity of the NAZI Party, but also identified key points along the road where different outcomes/decisions may have been made. Certainly, I think we have a better picture of the political spectrum in Germany at the time, and how the Weimar Constitution and the role of the President affected the outcomes.

Next, we looked at a list of ten things that had a part to play in Hitler's rise to power. We noted which ones were indications of (1) NAZI strength, (2) others' weakness, or (3) outside factors. I then asked you to decide which one factor was most important of all. I hope that you get used to doing this kind of critical thinking and pose for your own personal consideration, these kinds of questions when you do your reading. By thinking more deeply (and thus putting less focus on merely recalling "the story") you will come to a more fulsome understanding of the things we examine.

For homework, please read Demarco pp. 96-101 and complete Ex #5. Also, please complete the Falk activity (Ex #9) on anti-Semitism.

History 12-1: Germany in the 1920s

We started by scanning pages 80-84 in DeMarco and then we quickly reviewed the ideas we've already mastered. I next showed some footage from the two putsches in 1920. I also put a sketch of the German political spectrum on the board so we could be introduced to some of the political parties associated with Ex #4-5 on page 87. We saw which parties rose/fell and which ones stayed constant leading up to the Nov. 1932 election. For homework, I asked that you read pp.89-91 and do Ex #6, the Assignment Unit on page 91, and Ex #7. Also, please read pp. 93-95, also in DeMarco.

Socials 10-2: The Métis and the West

Today we started with a discussion of some elements of Métis culture that we learned about in the Gabriel Dumont reading. For example, we talked about how shaming is not a key part of our mainstream Canadian culture, but that it was a serious punishment for the Métis - for example, for theft. Next we read pp151-54 from the text and did a pair/share. After that, I took some of the points you made on the board for later reference. We ended by watching the People's History episode titled "Seven Oaks." There is no homework.

Socials 8-1 and 8-2: Test review

Today we did a test review and I went over the format of the test. If you review these notes and your study guides, you should have no problems doing well. Do some practices where you try to construct the big sketches on pages six-seven; if you can do it in practice, then you'll be able to do it on test day. Also, don't kid yourself: ensure you know what you are going to write on the crusades paragraph. Below are the board notes from the two lessons - they are mostly copies of one another.

History 12-1: Intro to fascism in Germany

Today we debriefed the DeMarco questions from the end of the Italy chapter and then we forced ourselves to condense what we know about the unit in three concise sentences - we then shared our ideas on the board.

Next, I discussed the three putsches that challenges the Weimar Republic from 1919 to 1923. This sets up Hitler's rise to power. Remember, where Mussolini initially succeeds, Hitler fails.

We ended by completing Ex#7 on the Weimar Republic - please have that done for next class.  Enjoy the weekend.

Socials 8-3: Test Prep/review

Today we reviewed for the test and a gave a page by page summary of the format. Study the blog, your study guides and today's notes to do well. Completing your Crusades paragraph will make that section of the test go much more easily. Good luck.

SS10-4: The Métis: Day 2

Today we debriefed yesterday's assignment and had a lighthearted discussion at the same time. To finish up, I asked you to read pp.151-57 in your text: this includes two sections (or subheadings) and I asked that you create five bullet points and one question for each.

History 12-1: Finishing up Italy

Today we began with a short, fun quiz. If you were not pleased with the outcome it should direct you to review your notes or DeMarco. Remember, all of the slide presentations can be accessed via SlideShare.

Next, we debriefed Ex #6: again, some of you did not do that reading - remember I design the work to give you a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts - if you choose to ignore that it will likely impact your ability to get those high marks on the unit tests.

We also reviewed the idea of the Corporate State and how the lot of the Italian workers was impacted negatively, in spite of the Fascists' promises.

For homework, finish up the DeMarco chapter and do the last exercise (but ignore the assignment that follows it). 

Tomorrow we begin Germany.

Today, since I had to be out of class yesterday and the others got to see an episode on the life of a peasant, I decided that you deserved the same. Next we created want ads for the job of peasant. I thought you worked well together and your ads were right on the mark. Next class we will review.

Today we did some reading and questions from the Falk workbook. We also watched an episode from the People's History: The Selkirk Settlers. We'll finish reviewing the answers to the questions next class.

History 12-1: Mussolini

Today we began with a debrief of yesterday's homework (Ex #5). From there, we worked from DeMarco, pp.70-75, including Ex # 3-7. I issued a handout with a map - that is for your information only - no work is required other than to read it. Finally, you had the chance to watch a bit of the Biography episode on Mussolini. For homework, please try to complete Falk Ex #6 (the reading and the questions). 

Don't forget that if you wish to re-write the USSR test (or just the extended paragraph) that will happen tomorrow after school. If you are studying, I had one student in for a tutorial after school and here is the timeline we created:

Socials 8-1 and 8-2: The Life of a Peasant

Today, since I had to be out of class, instead of beginning our review for the test, we watched an episode on the life of a peasant. Next we created want ads for the job of peasant. I heard I missed a bad word on one of the want ad samples that I provided the TTOC - oops - sorry everyone. Next class we will review.

Socials 10-2:

Today we did some reading and questions from the Falk workbook. We also watched two episodes from the People's History: Seven Oaks and The Selkirk Settlers. We'll review the answers to the questions next class.

History 12-1: Introduction to Mussolini's Italy

................Here are some suggested responses................... 

Today we began by debriefing the DeMarco homework and then confirming our understanding of the nature of a totalitarian state by writing brief statements using key words written on the board. Next we had a discussion on Mussolini's rise to power. The main thing I want you to remember from today's lesson is that Mussolini changed his story often to meet the needs of the time. Also, remember he was govern power by the king. any people liked that he established order in a land that was characterized by much disorder after the war. Like many dictators, he started off with small steps toward totalitarianism, but those steps gradually got bigger and bigger. Here are some slides from today's lesson (remember that you can access any of the slides via the SlideShare link to the top right of the page).

For homework I asked that you complete the table that is Ex #5 (from the Falk workbook).

Socials 10-4: CAPP

Today was a CAPP block; we'll resume our work on Thursday.

Socials 8-3: Finishing the Crusades paragraph

Today we started with a short discussion on the nature of good writing and then we worked to complete our paragraphs. I am planning to have a unit review on Thursday and the test on Friday (if the review goes well). Please complete your paragraph for homework. You will be asked to write a paragraph on the crusades on your unit test so you can think about it as test prep.

Socials 10-2: Understanding the Métis

Today we did a jigsaw activity using Chapter One from George Woodcock's Gabriel Dumont. In groups of four or five we divided the reading and then worked to learn details about different elements of Métis life on the Canadian Prairies. By the end of class, most groups were able to share their learning amongst themselves. We will share by group next class. There is no homework.

Section summaries of Chapter One

A simplified Dumont family tree (to explain why their seemed
to be two "Gabriels"

Socials 8-1 and 8-2: Finishing the Crusades paragraph

Today I began with a review of the elements of good writing. We used the remainder of the block to work on our paragraphs. This is the last work block for this writing. On Wednesday we will review the Middle Ages work we have done to date and on Monday next week we will write our unit test (it will include a paragraph on the Crusades, so please ensure you keep tour rough draft handy).

Today's writing review

History 12-1: Intro to Fascism

Welcome back. We began by debriefing the Russia/USSR exam. If you would like to redo the test, or just the "essay" that will likely happen after school on Thursday (we'll discuss the details tomorrow). Next, we discussed a protest sign that has recently started to sprout up around our communities, apparently in condemnation of the federal government's Bill C-51. It is a good springboard to a study of fascism, not because C-51 is fascist legislation, but because some feel it is a step towards compromised civil liberty and in the twentieth century we are able to see how fascist states evolved, in part, through the step-by-step dissolution of civil liberties. We also took notes on what we thought were the characteristics of dictatorships and then did a pair/share activity that compared Marxism to Soviet-style government, and fascism and finally, democracy (we'll share the outcomes tomorrow). For homework I asked you to read DeMarco pp 67-70 and to do Ex. 1 and 2.

History 12-1: Russia/USSR Unit Test Day

The title says it all. We will begin our look at fascism after the break. Thanks for all of your hard work and strong participation so far. Enjoy the break.

Socials 10-2: iPad practice

We used this block to learn the gestures for the Paper app and then we practiced. Many students created accounts so they could save their work to the cloud. There is no homework unless you still haven't handed in your canoe/York boat paragraph. Enjoy the break.

Socials 8-1 and 8-2: Paragraph Writing - Day 2: Closers

Did I really spell "fought" with an "a."

Today we had a lesson and practice on writing paragraph closers. These are difficult and I felt both classes worked hard and had good results. Enjoy the break.

Socials 8-2 Student samples

Socials 8-1 Student samples

Socials 8-3: Crusades paragraph writing

Today we spent the block composing our crusades paragraphs. We will get instruction on the closers and then edit our work next class. Enjoy the break.

Socials 10-4: Writing workshop

Today I returned the canoe/York boat paragraphs and then we worked on improving our writing, starting with topic sentences. If you have not yet returned your paragraph, please get it in ASAP. Enjoy the break.

History 12-1: Russia/USSR Test Prep.

Today we began by completing our Google Presentation - please finish your term if you were unable to do so in class. Next we created a timeline of the unit. To see the review notes from today's timeline, use this LINK.

To see the video from the BBC series on the Howarth text, use this LINK. (the beginning has poor video, but it soon gets better).

Study hard - the Commissar of Happiness announced today that because all production targets have been met in History 12 by the students at Chatelech People's Public Institution of Higher Learning, a week of rest and relaxation has been awarded. It was also announced that Comrade Ryan has been awarded the Stakhanov Medal (third class) for his celebration of "Peas, Land and Bread!"

History 12-1: Stalin - Collectivization and the Great Purges

Katy Perry will never be the same for you!

We started the day reading excerpts from Ronald Rayfield's Stalin and His Hangmen. This should give you some anecdotes to use in your writing. Next we debriefed the DeMarco questions on collectivization and the Great Purges. I hope you are starting to get the "flavour" of life in Stalin's USSR. The idea of this dictatorship is that things are often not as they are reported and that any opposition will be crushed. Stalin becomes a ruthless dictator who personally orders the deaths of millions including many of the able leaders who were bringing the country into the modern era. There is irony in the idea that his paranoia led others to be hyper-vigilant (dare I say, paranoid themselves) always looking over their shoulders for members of the NKVD and the OGPU.

We ended with an activity to compare Stalin's USSR with contemporary Canada. We noted that while the USSR had many negative characteristics, when compared to the West, women's equality and access to doctors was better in the dictatorship. Please complete the back side of that sheet for homework.

Socials 10-2: Reviewing the Canoe vs. York Boat paragraphs

Today I returned the paragraphs that had been handed in. Next, we went over the rubric to see more precisely what each element meant. We spent the second half of the block editing our paragraphs and applying changes from the things that we discussed.

Only those who have not yet returned their canoe/York boat paragraphs have homework - please get them done for Friday.

Socials 8-1 and 8-2: Paragraph First Draft

Today we used the whole block to compose the first draft of our crusades paragraphs. We will edit and add our closing sentences next block. Both classes worked well and got quality work done.

There is no homework. The Middle Ages unit test will be held after Spring Break.

Socials 10-4: Justice Theatre

Today we attended the Justice Theatre presentation in the theatre. I hope you were both entertained and education with the mock trial about criminal libel. Thanks go to Mr. Millican for arranging to have the presentation come to our school.

There is no homework.

History 12-1: Google Doc

We began by debriefing DeMarco and looking at the 5-Year Plans. We will look deeper into that tomorrow. Next, we used this LINK to access a Google Presentation for our unit vocabulary terms. We'll finish that tomorrow. We ended by learning how to analyze/speak to political cartoon and other media sources. I have included a sample of that below.

For homework, please complete the chapter on the USSR, including the exercises. 
I have had to move the unit exam to Friday: Thursday is already a shortened block this week and today it was decided that we are having a fire drill in that block and I fear if we still use Thursday for a test some students will feel extra pressure and either get anxious or rush to finish and thus not give a true reflection of their best work; sorry for the upset.

Ex 1 - source

Ex 1 - paragraph

Ex 2 - a

Ex 2 - b

Ex 3

History 12-1: After the November Revolution

You must be able to describe the characteristics and
outcomes of each plan

Today we began by doing a quick, oral summary of the what/so-whats for the unit vocabulary terms (on page 2 of Falk - tomorrow we'll create a Google doc to solidify those and more). We then debriefed the DeMarco readings. That included creating an abridged timeline of the key events of 1917. We did the Falk exercise that compares and contrasts the three economic plans using a jigsaw format. We'll start tomorrow by hearing the definitions of the terms at the bottom of that sheet.

I plan to give a unit test on the Russia/USSR unit on Thursday. For tonight I asked that you read DeMarco pp. 56-59 and complete Ex 1-3. We'll finish that chapter tomorrow, so depending on your schedules, you may like to work ahead.

Socials 10-2: CAPP

TODAY WAS A CAPP BLOCK. There is no homework unless you have not returned your canoe/York boat paragraph.

Monday - Socials 8-1 and 8-2 AND Tuesday - Socials 8-3: Crusades Paragraph Lesson

Today we had a writing lesson to prepare us to write on the Crusades next class. We focused on the topic sentence and the clarifying statement. We will write our paragraphs next class. There is no homework.

Socials 8-3: Wrapping up The Crescent and the Cross

Today we finished the film, debriefed and then started some pre-writing activities. Please remember to bring your notes from today's lesson to our next class. There is no homework (unless your castle project is not in yet).

Socials 10-4: iPad Practice

Today I showed the class how to navigate the Paper app by Fifty-three. After class I spoke with Mr Heidebrecht and he siad we will be able to purchase some styli for increased precision and an improved tablet experience. There is no homework.

History 12-1: The Russian Events of 1917

Today we began with a jigsaw activity in the Howarth text. Students work in groups to first read and then discuss a passage that they then summarized and shared with the class. Being able to summarize/synthesize long passages into concise speaking notes is a transferable skill that will serve you well in your futures.

Next, we took a stroll down a memory lane (timeline) of events from 1905 to 1918. Notice how the cards on the side board showing the political spectrum (political groups/parties) helped us in our explanation of the events. Here as some pics from that:

1861 - 1905

August, 1905 - December, 1916

Feb - March, 1917

April - July, 1917

August, 1917 - July, 1918

Next, we pair-shared (mostly me sharing) the answers to Falk's Ex #15 The Provisional Government. For homework, please read the rest of the chapter in DeMarco pp. 47-55. Also please complete Ex 8-12 and be ready to discuss them on Monday (NO NEED TO DO THE PARAGRAPH QUESTION). On Monday we will look at the three economic plans the Bolsheviks used from 1918-1928 during the Civil War and the introduction of Stalinist policy. I plan to have the unit final exam on Thursday. Thank you for all of your good work this week - the class has a great tone and that is because of you!